Influência do sombreamento no crescimento inicial de mudas de açaí (Euterpe oleracea Mart.)

Abstract

The açaizeiro (Euterpe oleraceae Mart.) is an Amazonian fruit tree, with the state of Pará being the main center of natural dispersion and the largest fruit producer. The objective was to evaluate the initial growth of açaí seedlings under different levels of shading. Seedlings obtained from seeds were transplanted into black polyethylene bags containing commercial substrate, kept in a nursery with 50% shade for 30 days until they were established. Then they were subjected to shading at 0% (full sun), 30%, 50%, and 70%. One hundred days after the application of treatments, height (cm), diameter (cm), number of leaves, root length (cm), root dry mass (g), aboveground dry mass (g), total dry mass (g), leaf area (cm2) and chlorophyll content were evaluated. The experimental design was entirely randomized with four treatments (shading levels) and twelve repetitions. The data were submitted to variance analysis followed by regression analysis and model fitting, if significant by the F test. The height, number of leaves, root and aboveground dry mass, total dry mass and leaf area increased with increasing shading level. The highest averages were observed at 70% shading, except for the diameter, root length and chlorophyll content. Açai seedlings present the capacity to develop in more than one light intensity, with 70% shading being the most recommended.